The need for speed...?
09-02-21, 10:17 AM
#51
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I just need to get used to the pace on the flats and learn how to draft better and periodically enjoy the scenery by looking up.
I'm also very impressed with some of the riders who are clearly older with a bit of a gut that even after riding 80 miles, are still able to keep a 24+ mph pace on the flats.
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09-02-21, 10:46 AM
#53
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We probably all think (if it weren't a point of contention in this thread) that most group rides are motivated by a few guys who like to hammer, and a lot of people who want to keep up .... all of whom put a premium on their ability to "suffer." "Sufferfest" is not a word invented by slow riders.
Not saying Every group is "out for blood," but on almost every group ride I have ever been on, even the "Recovery Ride" or "New Rider" rides ... the fast guys got bored and the competitive guys chased.
And while a lot of cyclist like to go slow and at least glimpse the roses ... a lot of riders see riding as highly competitive, and judge the quality of the ride by how long they were able to ride so hard every moment was incredibly unpleasant. There is a huge group of ridders---we all know it--who really do value painful riding.
That is fine, too. If they see the bike as a tool for testing their ability to exert themselves to ever higher limits, ... nothing wrong with that. Some people walk, some jog, some run, some race. Some people do a morning warm-up/tune-up with three-pound dumbbells, some try to maintain a pretty good level of muscle but not bulk up, some try to get stronger and stronger, and some go for max effort--and some are actually into body-building. All good.
I don't do many group rides because it is hard to find a group that feels like I do on any given day. Not the the group's fault, not my fault, nobody's fault. I do what I do, I accept that others can do the same.
Not saying Every group is "out for blood," but on almost every group ride I have ever been on, even the "Recovery Ride" or "New Rider" rides ... the fast guys got bored and the competitive guys chased.
And while a lot of cyclist like to go slow and at least glimpse the roses ... a lot of riders see riding as highly competitive, and judge the quality of the ride by how long they were able to ride so hard every moment was incredibly unpleasant. There is a huge group of ridders---we all know it--who really do value painful riding.
That is fine, too. If they see the bike as a tool for testing their ability to exert themselves to ever higher limits, ... nothing wrong with that. Some people walk, some jog, some run, some race. Some people do a morning warm-up/tune-up with three-pound dumbbells, some try to maintain a pretty good level of muscle but not bulk up, some try to get stronger and stronger, and some go for max effort--and some are actually into body-building. All good.
I don't do many group rides because it is hard to find a group that feels like I do on any given day. Not the the group's fault, not my fault, nobody's fault. I do what I do, I accept that others can do the same.
When someone looks on and only sees masochistic competition, I worry for them.
09-02-21, 11:11 AM
#54
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Apparently the joys of riding exuberantly are hard for some to understand. It's not (always) about winning some imaginary race. It gets the blood pumping, the endorphins released, and adds a thrill as everything moves a bit faster. Enthusiastic riding companions help get each other to that state.
When someone looks on and only sees masochistic competition, I worry for them.
When someone looks on and only sees masochistic competition, I worry for them.
Every moment of every one of those rides was unpleasant .... extremely so. Sure, I amazed myself to see how hard I could push myself ... but that is sort of like saying, I didn't realize I could stick so many toothpicks under my fingernails .....
As for endorphins .... the main thing I felt afterwards was relief .... it felt good to stop.
It was never about "winning some imaginary race." It was always about pushing as hard as I could .... which is way past discomfort and into distress .... and I could hurt myself for quite a while.
On another hand, I could hit my knee with a hammer for quite a while too, if I wanted.
And you can say what you want about "enthusiastic riding companions," but from what i saw, it was all competition and bragging rights .... not that anybody ever bragged, or put down the slower riders .... it was just that they knew they were the fastest that night.
You don't see those guys riding that pace solo ......
Hey, as I say, a lot of ways to use a bike ....
09-02-21, 12:21 PM
#55
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I have done some of those rides. Enough to know they are not for me.
Every moment of every one of those rides was unpleasant .... extremely so. Sure, I amazed myself to see how hard I could push myself ... but that is sort of like saying, I didn't realize I could stick so many toothpicks under my fingernails .....
As for endorphins .... the main thing I felt afterwards was relief .... it felt good to stop.
It was never about "winning some imaginary race." It was always about pushing as hard as I could .... which is way past discomfort and into distress .... and I could hurt myself for quite a while.
On another hand, I could hit my knee with a hammer for quite a while too, if I wanted.
Every moment of every one of those rides was unpleasant .... extremely so. Sure, I amazed myself to see how hard I could push myself ... but that is sort of like saying, I didn't realize I could stick so many toothpicks under my fingernails .....
As for endorphins .... the main thing I felt afterwards was relief .... it felt good to stop.
It was never about "winning some imaginary race." It was always about pushing as hard as I could .... which is way past discomfort and into distress .... and I could hurt myself for quite a while.
On another hand, I could hit my knee with a hammer for quite a while too, if I wanted.
And you can say what you want about "enthusiastic riding companions," but from what i saw, it was all competition and bragging rights .... not that anybody ever bragged, or put down the slower riders .... it was just that they knew they were the fastest that night.
You don't see those guys riding that pace solo ......
Hey, as I say, a lot of ways to use a bike ....
You don't see those guys riding that pace solo ......
Hey, as I say, a lot of ways to use a bike ....
I just wish we could ride at whatever pace we enjoy, without having to cast aspersions on those who ride at different speeds. It's endemic here on BikeForums.
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09-02-21, 12:34 PM
#56
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You and I both know that a lot of those guys love riding in groups because of the speed (aero benefit) and because of the friendly competition ..... not just the Strava segment sprints, but also the fact that they push each other harder than they usually can push themselves. They talk about it--you talk about it in this thread---and we all have seen it.
There is nothing inherently wrong with competition, with proving that you can hang, or with proving that you are the fastest, or whatever. there is something wrong with pretending that none of those guys are motivated by that ... particularly since I have hung out in the parking lot after rides and listened to them talk.
In any case ... One More Time .... Lots of ways to ride bikes. Have at it.
And hey ..... it's just Bike Forums.
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09-02-21, 12:48 PM
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I think everyone can agree that there are many different ways to enjoy cycling - thank goodness for that!
I started this thread acknowledging that I was going to worry less about going fast and more about enjoyment. So, I got into gravel riding more. I'm still going to ride with the group but if I lag behind, so be it - I'm not going to stress about it. In fact, at the last long ride, I split off from the group towards the end. Easy peasy.
I started this thread acknowledging that I was going to worry less about going fast and more about enjoyment. So, I got into gravel riding more. I'm still going to ride with the group but if I lag behind, so be it - I'm not going to stress about it. In fact, at the last long ride, I split off from the group towards the end. Easy peasy.
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09-02-21, 01:00 PM
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I agree with what you said above, I'll quit digging.
09-02-21, 01:03 PM
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Sorry man, I wasn't trying to make anything personal. Just trying to verbalize a general frustration with these discussions, and you happened to put forward the bad impressions of group rides that I wanted to respond to.
I agree with what you said above, I'll quit digging.
I agree with what you said above, I'll quit digging.
09-02-21, 06:01 PM
#61
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the groups near me aren't so much out for blood as they are out to drive their enemies before them and hear the lamentations of the women shortly after having crushed them. mostly masters
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09-02-21, 07:01 PM
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